Q&A: Eagles and free agency
We go through your questions about the Eagles, free agency and more.
Q&A: Eagles and free agency
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Thanks to the more than 7,000 people who stopped by our live blog/live chat yesterday for the first day of free agency.
Apologies to those of you who had that tool blocked at work or who were trying to log on through your phones.
I didn't approve comments and questions because I wanted to make it easy to read.
So here's a Q&A based on those questions:
Scott: Are the Eagles looking at Ryan Clark, the safety out of Pittsburgh?
I have not seen the Birds linked to Clark anywhere. His agent told Brad Biggs of the National Football Post that there were six teams interested in him. Clark turns 31 next season. After Andy Reid talked yesterday about this group of free agents being older than usual, I'm not sure he's a guy they would consider.
GS: Are the Birds interested in Karlos Dansby at all?
Obviously, Dansby is no longer on the market after having signed with the Miami Dolphins, but there was no indication at any point that the Eagles were players for him. Dansby had a huge price tag, reported to be worth $43M over five years with $22M guaranteed. Too high for a team like the Eagles that doesn't put a high financial value on the linebacker position.
Sidenote: As many others have pointed out, how would you like to be a Cardinals fan this offseason? Kurt Warner, Dansby, Antrel Rolle and Anquan Boldin all gone from a team that was in the Super Bowl two seasons ago and made it to the divisional round this past season.
Adam: Sheil, have you heard anything linking the Eagles to Aaron Kampman?
This was pretty funny and a great example of what it's like to follow the first day of NFL free agency in the year 2010. FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer tweeted that Kampman was visiting Philly yesterday, sending Twitterers into a frenzy. Minutes later, National Football Post's Joe Fortenbaugh said Kampman changed his mind and was not visiting Philly. And minutes after that, Glazer conceded that Kampman would not be in Philly.
There are disputing reports all over the place about Kampman. As of 9:15 a.m. Saturday, he doesn't have a home, and there doesn't appear to be a clear favorite to land his services. The knee injury, which limited him to nine games and just 3.5 sacks last year, undoubtedly has to be a factor here. And also the fact that Kampman will turn 31 during the 2010 season.
Update: Scout.com reports that Kampman is in Jacksonville visiting with the Jaguars.
Update 2: The Florida Times-Union confirms the report and says Kampman's representatives are still in contact with the Eagles.
Drew: If you saw the Cowboys-Eagles playoff game, then you realize that Nick Cole can't play center. Have you heard if the Eagles might have any interest in Kevin Mawae?
I might be alone on an island here, but I think the jury's still out on Cole's ability to fill in at center. Think of the situation. He was playing guard (both left and right) all season. And then before Week 17, he was counted on to move to center against one of the league's best pass rushes. Cole's blocking was not the problem. I thought he did a pretty good job in that respect. The problem was communication and identifying the right protections. Maybe that's something he can improve on if he has a little more time and preparation. I'm not saying the Eagles are fine at center. They certainly would be wise to add a piece there, but I wouldn't be shocked if Cole did a much better job if called upon to start next season for Jamaal Jackson.
As for Mawae, the report I saw yesterday quoted his agent as saying he wanted to start somewhere. That's not something the Eagles can guarantee. It would depend on Jackson's health.
Guest: Why isn't Antrel Rolle on a plane to Philly? C'mon man.
Have we not been paying any attention? Do we not remember this franchise letting one of its all-time greats leave last year when Brian Dawkins signed with the Broncos? And now we think they're going to replace him a year later by signing a safety to one of the richest contracts for a player at that position in NFL history? Not gonna happen. That being said, the thought of facing Giants safeties Rolle and Kenny Phillips for years to come should not excite Eagles fans.
Interesting to note that the Rolle deal with the Giants was really the only big splash made by an NFC East team. Many expected the Redskins to be, well, the Redskins, with the uncapped year. But instead, the Bears were the Redskins.
Rolle's deal is worth $37M over five years with $15M guaranteed, per Mike Garafolo of NJ.com. There are conflicting reports about whether that makes him the highest-paid safety in league history. But by all accounts, it's up there.
Felix: Why does it seem like the Eagles are not being aggressive in free agency considering all the issues they have on defense? Seems like they are relying on the draft.
Well, that's true to a degree. The top free agents got monster deals. The Eagles have shown in the past (Asante Samuel, Jason Peters) that they are willing to pay top dollar if they really like a player. The conclusion you can draw here is that they didn't see a player who warranted that kind of money. Yes, it's an uncapped year. But that doesn't mean NFL franchises (well, most of them anyway) are going to just throw their money away and make investments they deem as unwise.
As for the defense, the good news is this appears to be one of the strongest drafts on that side of the ball in a decade, according to experts like NFL Network's Mike Mayock.
Ok, that's all for now. I'll try to get to some more later today or on Sunday.
And we'll continue to keep you up to date on all the news, rumors, etc. on MTC and in our Eagles section.
Become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
Comment removed.
It is 3 days into free agency. Last year everyone was screaming the sky is falling and by the end of free agency, draft, and a couple of trades everyone was right back on the bandwagon. It is a long time until training camp starts.— wkd515- as long as reid's making the decisions they'll be staying status Quo, This man is such a sham and he has everyone in philly buffaloed, keeping mcnabb is just another great example. So guess what philly people your gonna get what you've been getting alot of B.S. .....— dave54
- We cut Witherspoon because he was set to make $5million and he may be a backup is what was reported yesterday. Well, isn't there a strong chance that we may be paying our 3rd string qb 5 mill next year? Everyone is assuming Bradley will be fine, but this guy has been injury-plagued his entire career dating back to high school. I know they are high on jordan, but come on, Spoon would have been some stability for that position. I know I am not paid to make the decisions these guys do, but this team continues to do things that test the patience and boggle the fans' minds.— reggiedunlop
- No douby this is a frustrating off-season, but I don't blame it on cheapness as much as I do on a very thin group of top free agents. I would have liked to seen them make a grab for Chester Taylor. And with all the trouble they have had at the linebacker positions they cut Will Witherspoon because "they are happy with there depth there." Who are they kidding. They have given up on Gocong at playing the strong-side. He was a disater trying to play the middle so what is he still doing on this team andwhat is his future roll? They will probably have him playing Left DE next year (I hope not). With Bradley back that solidifies the middle. Wouldn't Carlos Dansby look perfect at the SAM position and then let White, Jordan and Gaither battle it out for the spot Will Witherspoon looked good in. Fokou, Trotter and Mays are all busts along with Gocong at this point. Where is the depth. There has to be an o-lineman out there who would solidify the Eagles shaky O-line but I guess after last yeards disasters at signing O-lineman they are now gun shy. This is the thinnest roster I have ever seen under the Reid regime other than his first year, We seem to be thin at almost every position....OL, TE, RB, DE, DT, LB's, S and CB's. How did we get so darn thin at so many positions so quick...the simple answer is the Eagles rule of 30. You turn 30 years old and you are automatically done unless you happen to wear number 5. This is a 7-9 yeam at this point in the offseason who will battle the Skins for the basement in the east.— DandyFarAndy
- Gold Standard, pedal to the metal, best roster in the NFL.— TVGuy22
- When will Phila Eagles get Management who wants to win before the balance sheet. Reid coaches like in a Dream World. Makes a game plan and never changes. Looking at their schedule for 2010 they wwill not go above 8-8 with Chock McNabb.— tulsaphil
- Comment removed.
- They definetly want to win SB, but not at the expense of the business model. It is true that they generally approach the cap annually but that is because they spend money on tying unproven players for 7-10 yrs so they can lowball the guy. There is a site that actually lists the absolute dollars that each team has spent over the last 10 yrs. Eagles are barely midpack. My whole point is that THE 1A GOAL IS TO MAXIMIZE VALUE OF FRANCHISE.......They will not take risks towards winning sb at the expense of their money.....period....— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
- Other than running to the bank, what are the Eagles interested in doing? It certainly isn't winning Super Bowls with Reid and McNabb. Lurie bought this team from Braman for 180 million and today it is worth Over a Billion. Why should they spend big money when they can make big money? It always has and always will be about the money with the Eagles. How in God's name can they really believe they can win the Super Bowl this year? They are 16 to 1 to win in Vegas and that was before some of the other teams improved themselves with FA's.— The Marco Islander
- They are rebuilding...which is ok with me...The team asis is no SB contender which is obvious on recent history......but that means getting something for Don...should be a 1st...— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
Getting a Trojan Horse warning on this page from my antivirus— ICDogg- "Has anyone seen my wallet?" - Jeff Lurie— Luriesucks
- The scouting reports on the center Pouncey sound like exactly what the Eagles need on their OL. He's a big and aggressive guy with the versatility to play T and G as well as C. If he gets past Pittsburgh we might even be able to trade back in first round and still get him. With DE being one of the strengths of the draft we can use our second pick on one and still get quality. There's also good depth at CB. Get a decent one in the third round and add a safety or LB with our second pick in the third round. That's a good start.— Rick Wise Guy
- Comment removed.
- The flaw in the Eagles "we'll do it with the draft" strategy is that you'll need hits with all of your picks or else big gaps appear. If some don't work out (inevitable), then you're left with what the Eagles do every year - pick up undrafted free agents or players cut from other teams. That is a much lower quality pool than the free agent pool. Not only do you fill holes inadequately, the quality of team depth is suspect.— hairball
- Comment removed.
- Q: What did the bird say when it flew into the Eagles front office? A: "Cheap... cheap... cheap..."— Mastiff
- Jamaal is not going to be ready for the season...the O line is still in flux. The Birds need to unload some QBs for draft picks to shore up the D.— Joe Funk
- Let's hope the Eagles draft a free safety that can play, a tall physical cornerback that can cover, an outside linebacker that can cover a tight end, a defensive end that can start opposite trent cole, and a center/guard for depth along the o-line since jamaal jackson and shawn andrews are question marks for this upcoming season.— uscwee
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
